Synchronization apparatus for moving furniture parts

Abstract

A synchronization apparatus has at least two actuating apparatuses for moving a movable furniture part, and has a synchronization rod for synchronizing the movement of the at least two actuating apparatuses. A first end region of the synchronization rod can be connected to a first rotary part of the first actuating apparatus, and a second end region of the synchronization rod can be connected to a second rotary part of the second actuating apparatus. At least one rotary part of the actuating apparatuses has a spring-loaded contact-pressure part which bears against the end face of the synchronization rod.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A synchronization apparatus comprising:
 a first actuating device including a first rotary portion; 
 a second actuating device including a second rotary portion, said first actuating device and said second actuating device being configured to move a moveable furniture part; and 
 a synchronization rod for synchronizing movement of said first actuating device and said second actuating device, said synchronization rod having a first end region to be connected to said first rotary portion of said first actuating device, said synchronization rod having a second end region to be connected to said second rotary portion of said second actuating device; 
 wherein at least one of said first rotary portion and said second rotatory portion includes a spring-loaded pressure portion for bearing against a respective end of said synchronization rod; and 
 wherein each of said first rotary portion and said second rotary portion is integrally formed as a unit with a respective one of said first actuating device and said second actuating device such that, during absence of said synchronization rod, said first rotary portion, said second rotary portion, and said spring-loaded pressure portion remain connected to a respective one of said first actuating device and said second actuating device; wherein said at least one of said first rotary portion and said second rotatory portion including said spring-loaded pressure portion further includes a receiving sleeve and a holding element operative between said spring-loaded pressure portion and said receiving sleeve, said holding element being configured to limit and outward extension movement of said spring-loaded pressure portion relative to said receiving sleeve; wherein said holding element has opposed first and second end regions, each of said first and second end regions including a projection for engaging said receiving sleeve and said pressure portion, respectively. 
 
     
     
       2. The synchronization apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said spring-loaded pressure portion engages in a positive-locking relationship into a non-circular recess in said respective end of said synchronization rod. 
     
     
       3. The synchronization apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein at least one of said first end region and said second end region of said synchronization rod has a non-circular cross-section, and a respective one of said first rotary portion and said second rotary portion has a receiving sleeve with at least a portion shaped to correspond to an outer contour of said at least one of said first end region and said second end region of said synchronization rod. 
     
     
       4. The synchronization apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein at least a bottom portion of said receiving sleeve is configured to bear against said at least one of said first end region and said second end region of said synchronization rod, and said at least a bottom portion of said receiving sleeve is formed as said spring-loaded pressure portion. 
     
     
       5. The synchronization apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said spring-loaded pressure portion is formed in one piece by an end of a spring. 
     
     
       6. The synchronization apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said synchronization rod is invariable in length and has a uniform cross-section over an entire length of said synchronization rod, and said synchronization rod is formed as a hollow profile member having a uniform inside diameter over the entire length of said synchronization rod. 
     
     
       7. The synchronization apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said spring-loaded pressure portion is configured to be displaceably mounted between two end positions relative to said at least one of said first rotary portion and said second rotatory portion along a longitudinal direction of said synchronization rod. 
     
     
       8. The synchronization apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said first rotary portion and said second rotary portion has a receiving sleeve, said spring-loaded pressure portion being supported in said receiving sleeve and projecting beyond an end of said receiving sleeve. 
     
     
       9. The synchronization apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein said spring-loaded pressure portion is biased by a spring relative to said receiving sleeve. 
     
     
       10. The synchronization apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said synchronization rod is configured to be connected to said first rotary portion of said first actuating device and said second rotary portion of said second actuating device after said first actuating device and said second actuating device have been mounted to an article of furniture. 
     
     
       11. The synchronization apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said synchronization rod is non-rotatably connected to said first rotary portion of said first actuating device and said second rotary portion of said second actuating device in an assembled condition. 
     
     
       12. An article of furniture comprising:
 a moveable furniture part; and 
 a synchronization apparatus according to  claim 1  for synchronizing a movement of said moveable furniture part. 
 
     
     
       13. The article of furniture according to  claim 12 , further comprising a furniture carcass, wherein said moveable furniture part is a furniture flap mounted to be moveable upwardly relative to said furniture carcass by said first actuating device and said second actuating device of said synchronization apparatus. 
     
     
       14. The article of furniture according to  claim 12 , further comprising a furniture carcass, wherein said moveable furniture part is a drawer mounted to be displaceable relative to said furniture carcass by said first actuating device and said second actuating device of said synchronization apparatus. 
     
     
       15. A method of mounting a synchronization rod for synchronizing movement of two actuating devices to be mounted to an article of furniture, each of the two actuating devices having a respective rotary portion for moving a moveable furniture part, at least one respective rotary portion of the two actuating devices including an integral spring-loaded pressure portion; wherein said at least one respective rotary portion including said integral spring-loaded pressure portion further includes a receiving sleeve and a holding element operative between said spring-loaded pressure portion and said receiving sleeve, said holding element being configured to limit and outward extension movement of said spring-loaded pressure portion relative to said receiving sleeve; wherein said holding element has opposed first and second end regions, each of said first and second end regions including a projection for engaging said receiving sleeve and said pressure portion, respectively, said method comprising:
 mounting the two actuating devices each having the respective rotary portion to the article of furniture in an opposing manner; 
 after said mounting, pressing the synchronization rod at an incline relative to a notional connecting line (X) between the respective rotary portions of the two actuating devices towards a first one of the two actuating devices against a spring force of the spring-loaded pressure portion of the rotary portion of the first one of the two actuating devices; 
 pivoting the synchronization rod toward the notional connecting line (X); and 
 then releasing a pressure against the spring force of the spring-loaded pressure portion to allow the spring-loaded pressure portion to be pushed towards an opposing second one of the two actuating devices so as to thereby non-rotatably connect the synchronization rod to the two actuating devices.